IMRO have announced the fifth Live Music Venue of the Year Awards will take place on Tuesday 26th February at IMRO headquarters in Dublin. The shortlist came out this morning and recognises the hard work of the passionate people who work at Ireland’s music venues.
Over 8,000 IMRO members gave their consideration to the hundreds of venues across the country, with venues judged on their atmosphere, sound, lighting, staging and diversity of programming. They also dropped their opinions on the best festivals in Ireland, drawing a final top 10. The awards as always are in regions, Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin), Connacht, Munster and Ulster (Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan).
One overall award will be presented with the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. This award is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions. To cast your vote, head over to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/imrovenueawards. Voting closes February 19th. One lucky voter will win an iPod Touch digital music player. The Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year Readers Poll will also be part of the awards and Hot Press fans can vote at www.hotpress.com/readerspoll.
The Shortlists
IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin 2
The O2, Dublin 1
The Draiocht Theatre, Dublin 15
The Grand Social, Dublin 1
The Olympia, Dublin 2
IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
TLT, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Wexford Arts Centre, Wexford
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Monroes, Galway
The Dock Theatre, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
Roisin Dubh, Galway
Linenhall Arts Centre, Mayo
Roscommon Arts Centre, Co. Roscommon
IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare
Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
Cork Opera House, Cork
DeBarras, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
University Concert Hall, Limerick
IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2012
Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co Donegal
An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
An Poc Fada, Monaghan
McGrorys, Culdaff, Co. Donegal
The Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year 2012
Castlepalooza
Electric Picnic
Live @ The Marquee Cork
Westport Music & Performing Arts Festival
Forbidden Fruit
Vantastival
Temple Bar Trad Festival
Festival of the Fires
Galway Arts Festival
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann Cavan